For our second installment of Thursday’s Things To Try (check out Karrin’s first one here), I thought I would share a little DIY project that my husband and I tackled a few weeks ago. We don’t have a lot of counter space in our kitchen, so I’ve been wanting to put up some shelves to clear the area and display some of our better looking kitchen accessories. I was drawn to the look of this shelf, but wasn’t so keen on spending that kind of money on something so simple. So we made our own version! Unfortunately I did not think ahead to document the entire process, but it’s pretty simple to get with just the finished pictures.

Supplies:

Three 1″x12″ boards, 20″-36″ in length (see below directions for choosing length) – we used yellow pine simply because that is what we used for our table bench, so we knew they would match once stained with the leftover stain we had from that project

Sandpaper or sander

Wood stain

Stain brush

6 metal L-brackets

Screws for the wall (size and number will depend on your brackets)

Screws for the wood (size and number will depend on your brackets and wood thickness)

Drill

Measuring tape

Stud finder

Level

Directions:

On the wall you want to install the shelves, use your stud finder to find two studs, which is where you will want to place the brackets. Mark those spots with a pencil. Studs are 16″ or 24″ apart (newer places 16″, older 24″). If they are 16″ apart, your shelves should be somewhere around 2o” or 36″ in length, and if the studs are 24″ your shelves should be around 28″ long. This will allow for a few inches of overhang on both ends of the shelves over the brackets, while ensuring you will hit the studs. Our studs our 16″ apart, so we used 36″ boards spanned across three studs.

Once you’ve decided on a length, hop on over to your local hardware store and gather your supplies. The store can cut your boards to length if you don’t have the tools to do it at home. Make sure the length of the screws for holding the brackets to the wood are only about half the thickness of the wood so they don’t cause splitting later.

In an outdoor area, sand down the shelves, stain, and allow to dry.

While your boards dry, figure out where on the walls you want to place your shelves in terms of height. I wanted the middle shelf to be at about eye level. I marked where those brackets would be first. From there, I marked the bottom and top shelf placement based on the amount of space I wanted between them (11.5″ for ours).

From here you can do one of two things, depending on the length of your level. If you have a long level, you can install the brackets into the wall with your drill and screws, using the level to make sure they are even from left to right. You can then screw the dried boards directly onto the brackets, using your measuring tape to make sure everything is centered. If you have a shorter level, like we do, you will want to do the opposite but it is a two person job. Using your measuring tape, mark the bracket placement spots onto your boards based on the space between studs. Screw the brackets to the wood, making sure the brackets are flush against one side of the board (pay attention to which sides of the boards you want facing out!). Next, one person will hold the shelf against the wall while the other person puts in one screw in one of the brackets. Place the level on the shelf, straighten it out, and place a second screw on the other side. Fill in the rest of the screw spots to secure to the wall. Repeat with the remaining shelves.

And that’s it! Easy, inexpensive, and simple to make your own (for example, you could paint with a color instead of just staining, etc).

I think I need to cluster some of the stuff on the top shelf and add in some framed pictures. And eventually I would like to take the coffee stuff off the bottom shelf and move it to another location so that I can add in more plants, etc. Guess we will have to tackle some sort of buffet table next :)

Like this:

It’s been a while since I’ve challenged myself to try something new. Between moving across the country, starting a new job, the holidays (the list of excuses goes on) there just never seems to be enough time. I’ve come to realize that there never really is enough time, you just have to make the time yourself to do it. That’s why we are starting a new series on the blog – Thursday’s Things To Try – because even the littlest of efforts go along way and can bring something fresh and exciting into your life, like a look you have never tried before. This Thursday is a challenge to go monochomatic – try to put things together in the same hue and look as effortless and sophisticated as these fine pictures I’ve been drooling over on Pinterest.

Mixing it up by doing something you have never attempted before, no matter how small the new thing may be is a great way to spice up your life and your look. We’d love to know – what new things have you tried recently?

Like this:

2013 was a big year for Style Sound! Haley and her husband Kyle tied the knot and Tyler and I moved across the country. Given all the great things that happened this year, we thought we would do a recap of our favorite outfits that each other posted. Excluding the obvious number one outfit of the year pictured above, Haley’s fabulous silk wedding gown, my top 5 favorite outfit creations from Haley are:

Florals were huge this year, and Haley pulled them off flawlessly in this Prabul Gurung X Target top and skirt. Even though she is wearing head to toe florals, the black and white color pallet keeps the usually loud pattern contained and classy, and her neutral accessories are the perfect touch to compliment to this statement look. If only florals were this easy for everyone to pull off!

Leave it to Haley to make showing skin look epically chic. From the basic white crop to to the mint sheer skirt, Haley created a look that looks effortless and fabulous all at the same time. Oh, and those sunglasses!

This outfit may seem similar to outfit number two, however I couldn’t help but include it in my top five because of the way Haley transformed it to have such a different feel. She took a simple stripped shirt and created a classic look. She looks like she belongs walking on the Champs-Élysées among rest of the Parisians! Haley, tu es très chic:)

I’ve obviously got a thing for crop tops given that three crop top outfits of Haley’s are in my top five, however, have you seen anyone pull them off like she does!? I certainly have not. What can be made to look risqué and un-classy on some people Haley has made look natural, sexy yet understated and ultimately scream “comfortable in my own skin”. The color combo in this look is so fun and playful, topped off with an edgy necklace this is an outfit that if I would rock every day if I were her!

I love absolutely EVERYTHING about this outfit – from the knit hat and flannel shirt to the leather pants and pointed toe Zara boots. It’s the perfect combination of edgy and casual and shows just how versatile and unique Haley’s wardrobe is. I just wish she lived closer so I could steal all her clothes!

Now it’s Haley’s turn! Her top five favorites are below :)

1. Golden GardensBesides being some of my favorite Karrin pictures ever (seriously, these are stunning), I’m so in love with how Karrin styled this coat with timeless accessories and the punch of fall colors in her hat. She is meant for vintage, and vintage is meant for her.

2. Hello, FallI’m a sucker for mixing feminine and masculine when it comes to clothes, and Karrin has nailed it here. She has created the perfect marriage of plaid and chambray with cute booties and a gorgeous brooch. And her hair and make up! I love it all.

3. Mellow YellowThis outfit screams “I’m ready for warm weather!” The flow of the skirt paired with the structured top and pops of bright colors – it’s a perfect transition statement. And it reminds me of Karrin… bright and sunny

4. Floral and SequinsI love how Karrin has taken such a relaxed silhouette and created a perfectly polished look. The look is so balanced, she could be going anywhere! The statement necklace finishes it off beautifully.

5. CBN Oscar PartyA modern day Audrey Hepburn… a timeless silhouette with updated textures and unexpected patterns. Karrin is exquisite in this dress. From the top of her head to the ends of her toes – she is flawless. And no one pulls off peplum and purple lipstick as good as she does.

Thank you so much for following this year! We wouldn’t be doing what we are doing without each and every one of you. We are looking forward to what 2014 will bring here at Style Sound! Cheers to the new year with new beginnings and adventures!